Mexicali’s immigrant shelters continue to operate as thousands come to the city
FOX 9's Adam Klepp visited two shelters and reports on the ongoing struggle to manage the immigration crisis
MEXICALI, Mex. (KECY, KYMA) - Mexicali continues to be a temporary home for tens of thousands of migrants before completing their journey to America.
In the winter the local government raced to open shelters, now in March, many of the migrants have either found jobs and their own housing, or crossed into America.
Over 10 shelters were operated by the government a few months ago, but now only two government shelters remain.
One of the shelters is reserved specifically for women or family groups. Rosa is one of the migrants living here, she is also three months pregnant.
She says if this shelter closes, she doesn’t know where she would go to get medical care.
"Because of the doctor I am very worried because if I have to leave the shelter I don’t know where I’m going to go to the hospital,” Rosa said. The conditions at this government-sponsored shelter aren't as bad compared to the other shelter I visited.
Hijo Prodigo does not receive support from the government, and it shows.
Inside, the sun comes through the roof where pieces of the ceiling are falling down. Migrants sleep under big tents which often have over 100 immigrants inside every night.
As for bathrooms, there are only 2 toilets to share between all of them. The director of this shelter says migrants pay about 50 cents a night to sleep there, and stay for maybe 2 or 3 days before attempting to cross into the United States.
The shelter director Carlos says there are no lights in the shelter, and that it gets extremely hot during the summer months.
“Truthfully we have many problems, we have no electricity,” Carlos said.
A dentist in Holtville, and members of a Brawley church were at Hijo Prodigo to provide medical services to migrants.
Gayle Cheatwood says he and many others pulled teeth, gave out eyeglasses, and provided medication.
"There was a lady whose blood pressure was 300 over 160, so they immediately took her to the hospital,” Cheatwood said.
The shelter has been running for 3 years, and while the conditions inside border on unlivable, it provides an essential service for migrants who would be on the streets otherwise.
Carlos says he doesn’t know how much longer the shelter can continue to operate if there isn’t government support.
"We have had some instances where there are only 5 or 10 migrants here, but they don’t close it. It’ll remain open as long as there are migrants,” Carlos said.
With the United States on pace to have over 2 million apprehensions at the border this year, the constant flow of migrants through Mexicali doesn’t look as if it will slow down anytime soon.
